“Our success has really been based on partnerships from the very beginning.”

Guess which (ahem!) ever-so-slightly successful entrepreneur is quoted here? None other than Microsoft founder Bill Gates. I love to hear what the experts have to say about success – and this quote illustrates the importance Mr. Gates puts on building strong partnerships with the key players who contribute to your ongoing business growth.

Your staffing firm should be at or near the top of that list. The relationship between a company and its recruitment firm can be complex and even stressful at times. But above all else, it has to be a partnership, based on mutual cooperation, respect and – last but not least- trust.

Keep an Open Door and an Open Mind

The key to empowering your staffing firm to find the best candidates for you is to be honest and open with your recruiters. By freely dispersing information to them, you’ll enable them to do a better, more efficient and effective job of building your team. By contrast, if you’re short with them, hold back key facts or treat them as anything less than a true partner, you’ll only be hurting your organization in the long run.

Build Your Staffing Partnership

True, your staffing firm is a vendor to whom you outsource work, versus an actual part of your corporate structure. And while outsourcing providers don’t have carte blanche access to whatever they may want to know about your organization, they do represent you. And it goes without saying that your staffing firm typically is the first point of contact between you and potential new employees. So approach this relationship thoughtfully and strategically. Remember, when all is said and done, it’s about getting results. Like any important life relationship, take good care of the partnership you establish with your staffing firm. Remember:

When working with the right staffing firm, you build productivity and efficiency. Industry-leading recruitment firms have broad networking bases, excellent subject matter experts, and the skills and contacts needed to make the perfect client/candidate match.

To do the best possible job, your staffing firm needs in-depth knowledge and background about your company, your industry, your culture, and the positions they are charged to fill.

Potential new hires don’t differentiate between your organization and your staffing firm. In their eyes, your recruiter is your company. This is the most important reason to nurture and continuously build that relationship.

A good recruiter takes ownership in your plans and your vision and is, in essence, your ambassador. Because what’s more important than representing you in the job candidate marketplace? Contact Select Group today for more tips on selecting and working with a recruitment firm. Because your success really is based on partnerships – right from the start.